CONTENTS

Prelude
Editorial
Architectural History and Regionalism
Reading Architecture : Historiography of 18th Century Peshwa City and Architecture

ABACUS Chetan Sahasrabudhe

Culture and Urban Morphology: Transformation with Development in Indian Cities
1

5
A Bi-Annual Internationally Referred Journal Rukmini Mukherjee
on Architecture, Conservation and Urban
Studies Content Analysis of Samarangana Sutradhara 11
Dr. Yogesh K. Garg, Amogh Kumar Gupta

MONSOON 2012 Dwelling Architecture as an Expression of Culture Establishing Continuum in the Place of 16
Migration The Case of Nattukkottai Chettiars of Chettinadu in the Urban Context of Chennai
Dr. Ranee Vedamuthu, Kumudhavalli Sasidhar
VOLUME 7 NUMBER 2
Development and Transformation of Buddhist Architecture in Central India : Case of Sanchi 22
Ankita Srivastava, Anubhav Shrivastava, Dr. Krishna Kumar Dhote
Editor-in-Chief Technological Developments
Dr. Manjari Chakraborty The Havelis of Ramgarh, Shekhawati, Rajasthan : A Study on Thermal Response 28
Professor and Head of Built Heritage
Dr. Abir Bandyopadhyay, Neha Awasthi
Department of Architecture
Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi Comparing Techniques, Bioclimatic Features and Indoor Thermal Conditions 35
Inside Heritage and Modern Buildings in Kolkata.
Margot Pellegrino
Editor Interpretation of History in Modern Architecture
Ms. Ritu Agrawal Universality Beats Particularity: Sameness and Placemaking beyond Geography 40
Assistant Professor and Time in Twentieth Century Architecture.
Department of Architecture Pierluigi Serraino
Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra , Ranchi Eclecticism In Fontainhas, The Heritage Core within Panjim, Goa 44
Rangan Chatterjee
An Analytical Format for Identification and Translation of Traditional Principles 49
Publisher for Designing contemporary Chatushala Residential Houses of Kerala
Santhosh kumar K.G., Dr. Sanghamitra Basu
Birla Institute of Technology
(A Deemed University) Evolution of Theory of Architecture
Mesra, Ranchi - 835215 Orissan Temple Architecture and Vastu Purusha Mandala for Evolution Process 58
Jharkhand, INDIA Partha Sarathi Mishra
Unfinished and Incomplete Buildings of The Past Treasures of Evolutionary 64
Experimentations
Cover Designed by Mukta Latkar-Talwalkar
Ruhi Ranjan, Alisha Sinha, Prof. S. Mitra Architectural Design and Semantics : An Experiment in Juxtapositioning 71
Sampada A. Peshwe, Lakshmi S. Rao
Shaktipeethas the Sacred Landscapes..... An Effort to Safeguard Our Cultural Heritage 79
ISSN 0973 8339 Harveen Bhandari
Study and Conservation of Built Heritage
2008 all rights reserved. No part of this publication Architectural Trends in Colonial Heritage of Bihar: A Resource to be Conserved 87
may be produced or transmitted in any form or by Dr. Kamini Sinha, Shailendra Kumar Mandal, Dr. Manoj Kumar
any means, electronic or mechanical, photocopying,
Conservation and Development of Built Heritage of Shimla 92
recording or any information storage or retrieval system
Dr. Pushplata, Ashwani Kumar
without permission in writing from the Department of
Architecture, BIT Mesra, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India. The Architectural Expression of a Cultural Symbiosis- Kalloorkad St.Marys 99
Forane Church - a Case Study
Dr. Ranee Vedamuthu, Prof. Sumam Panjikaran
Disclaimer:
ABACUS, its editorial board and its publisher disclaim Neglected Heritage
responsibility and liability for any statement of fact The Stunning Megalith of Rola (Chano) 107
or opinion made by any of the contributors. The Subhashis Das
responsibility for all the facts mentioned and opinions
expressed by the authors in the various articles or papers Project Profile
in the journal are solely their own and not of any of the
organisations with which they may be engaged. School of Management Sciences, Lucknow 110
Ar. Prabhat Kumar
PATRON
Prof. P. K. Barhai
PRELUDE
VICE CHANCELLOR, BIT Mesra, Ranchi

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

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Prof. Abir Mullick
Director, Industrial Design, Georgia
Institute of Technology, Atlanta, USA

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Prof. Adam Hardy

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Cardiff University, UK

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Prof. A.G.K. Menon

Consultant, USAP, Guru Gobind Singh
Indraprastha University, New Delhi

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Prof. Anupam Banerjee

Professor Emeritus, School of Architecture,
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$BOBEB The Evolution of Architecture is a much-discussed classic issue.
At rudimentary levels we have by now a fair idea about how
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Prof. Ashesh Maitra
Ex - Director, School of Planning and
architecture has been evolving as a social technology and a cultural
Architecture, New Delhi art over the epochs that we traversed.
Maybe the time has arrived we delve somewhat deeper into the
t
Prof. B. K. Sengupta
Dept of Architecture and Planning, IIT,
nuances of the process and product of architecture, at a more
Kharagpur, India scholarly level, to fathom the trends the discipline is taking, the
course it charts on its own, and also to discern the need for steering
t
Ar. D. S. Meshram it towards a sustainable future.
Ex-President, Institute of Town Planners,
India In this issue of the ABACUS, apparently diverse articles finally
converge on that intention of following the course of evolution of
t
Ar. Dulal Mukherjee Architecture, its passage from the past into the contemporary times,
Eminent Architect, Kolkata, India
the multifarious aspects of civilization it touches and affects on its
t
Prof. Enamul Haque journey, and the underlying need to point at a rational course for a
Chairman and Academic Director, ICSBA, meaningful tomorrow.
Dhaka, Bangladesh
The spectrum of articles coined in this number is quite elaborate and
t
Prof. Jitendra Singh probe the diverse influences of Architecture on fields as different as
Vice Chancellor, Nalanda Open University, culture, religion, tradition, technology, history, theories and heritage.
India Specific sample cases and general scenario -both are dealt with in the
articles contributed by experts and scholars.
t
Ar. Karan Grover
Eminent Architect, Vadodara, India Trust this issue would throw some special and revealing light on the
evolution of architecture.
t
Prof. Nalini Thakur
Conservation Dept, SPA, Delhi, India

t
Dr. Shikha Jain

Director, DRONAH, India and Editor,
Context (Dr. Manjari Chakraborty)

Board of Editors
The board of editors comprises
of the faculty members of
Department of Architecture,
BIT Mesra, International Centre,
Ras al Khaimah (UAE) and
Extension Centre, Patna:
Dr. Debajyoti Biswas
Dr. Nikhil R. Mandal
Dr. Satyaki Sarkar
Ar. Sanmarga Mitra
Ar. Parama Mitra
Ar. Smriti C. Mishra

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Ar. Janmejoy Gupta
Ar. Arup Das
Ar. Anamika Nandan
Mr. S. K. Pandey
Ar. Bimal Ch. Roy
Ar. Rajan Ch. Sinha
Ar. Anuj Kr. Toppo
Ar. Abhiroop Das
Ar. Danish
Ar. S. Kumar
Ms. Sangita
Ar. B. Chakraborty
Er. Swetamvara Verma
EDITORIAL
"Architecture is that great living creative spirit which from generation to generation,
from age to age, proceeds, persists, creates, according to the nature of man, and
his circumstances as they change. That is really architecture." ...Frank Lloyd Wright
What is Evolution of Architecture? Why is it important to understand the meaning
of Evolution in context to Architecture? What is the magic for survival of the age old
art and architecture? What makes historic architecture awe-inspiring? Who creates
them? What is the purpose of creating them? What spatial qualities and organisational
principles have rendered the historic monuments timeless? Can these qualities be
deciphered and reinstated in contemporary times?
These questions become immensely pertinent in the context of History of
Architecture. Architectural History is a function of time and space, where time is
cyclic and dynamic in nature. Materials, construction techniques, style and isms are
conditioned by the context. Architectural History can serve a better understanding
and a critical consciousness as to what architecture should be today and tomorrow.
One could expect a better understanding of the built environment of the past to
critically inform our present day and future views and beliefs.
An integrating theory of architecture cannot be developed without a historical
base, and the history of architecture cannot be pertinent without a theoretical base;
there is an evident relationship between theory as a whole and historical analysis.
The history of architecture points out the qualitative poles of the existing works,
cultural testimonies of the past, signs of evolution, and the criticism examines
and evaluates to what extent a certain proposal satisfies some specific value
criteria. Right through history of architecture, the attempt to create something
awe-inspiring resulted in a diversity of architectural forms.
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history of architecture. The theme resolved was Evolution of Architecture. Five sub
themes were agreed upon - Architectural History and Regionalism, Technological
Developments, Interpretation of History in Modern Architecture, Evolution
of Theory of Architecture and Study and Conservation of Built Heritage. I was
fortunate to have contributions from veteran researchers as well as naive young
ones who were quite eager to publish their post-graduate and doctoral work.
Interestingly, we also received a paper based on undergraduate work. Thus, it can
be concluded that the future of research on architectural history is bright, as there
are many young innovative minds at work.
It is my proud privilege to thank all the authors on behalf of the boards of editors
from the Department of Architecture, BIT Mesra, Ranchi. I am grateful to the
reviewers for timely revisions. My gratitude also goes to the companies who have
provided the advertisements. It was a learning experience to edit the words of
authors and forgive me for any unintended errors.
As issue editor for ABACUS, I am privileged to present this issue on Evolution of
Architecture with hope that the readers would be thoroughly benefitted.
Ritu Agrawal
Editor, ABACUS MO/12

READING ARCHITECTURE : HISTORIOGRAPHY OF 18TH CENTURY
PESHWA CITY AND ARCHITECTURE
Chetan Sahasrabudhe graduated in Architecture
from Pune and did his Masters in Architectural
Conservation from SPA, New Delhi. He is based
in Pune and pursuing Doctoral studies on 18th
Century Architecture of the Maharashtra Region
from University of Pune. He also teaches at Dr.
B.N. College of Architecture, Pune.
E-mail : chetansahasrabudhe@hotmail.com
ABACUS Vol. 7 No. 2 Monsoon 2012
Architectural History and Regionalism
CHETAN SAHASRABUDHE
ABSTRACT
Reading Architecture can be done in two ways first by reading what has been written about it and second
reading architecture itself as its own text. This paper is a reading of the history of 18th Century Peshwa City and
Architecture and a subsequent outline of a methodology of reading the Architecture itself.
The writing of Architectural History of the Indian subcontinent has been limited to the confines of formal,
arthistorical analysis (Juneja, 2001). These writings have also been limited to grand narratives of the centre
marginalizing the histories of the regions.
The fact that 18th century architecture of the Marathas needed to be studied was first stated by Herman Goetz
in1946 CE. His essay prompted a doctoral dissertation by M.S. Mate in 1959 CE. The late 1990s and the early
years of the 21st century have seen more work on Maratha Architecture (Sohoni, 1998). However, as will be
shown most of this work is art historical in nature depending on formal analysis. The paper makes a case for
re-reading the history of 18th century Architecture of the Maharashtra region by using evidences and methods
that go beyond the buildings.
Key words : Maharashtra, Historiography of Architecture, 18th century
1. INTRODUCTION
The 18th century in Indian history has been a subject of much research. Till
recently, it was seen by historians as a century of chaos and anarchy with
no architectural significance. Recent scholarship however has questioned
this (Alavi, 2002) and stressed on the continuities and assertion of regional
identities in the 18th century. Such a change in outlook prompts a change in
the way we look at history of 18th century of Architecture as well.
This change in the scholarship on 18th century India forms the intellectual
context for a survey of 18th century Architecture of Maharashtra. Another
strong influence comes from the way the discipline of Architectural history
has changed in the last couple of decades. From a discipline which leaned
towards an art historical analysis, history of architecture has become a part
of the broader field of cultural studies.1
Taking into consideration these two factors namely the change in the
understanding of the historical context and changes in the discipline of
Architectural History, this paper attempts a reading of the history of 18th century
Peshwa city and Architecture
2. THE BEGINNINGS
Herman Goetz (1898 1976 CE), great pioneer of the museums in India, was the
first art historian to write about Art of Maharashtra, which he called as The Art
of the Marathas (Goetz, 1946). In the opening pages of his essay with the same
title, Goetz outlined certain principles which even today can serve as an entry
point into the critique of the Art of the Marathas. Firstly, he rejects the notion of
Maratha Art being the sunset of Indian greatness. Secondly, he rejects aesthetic
judgment based on Victorian notions of Art and thirdly he accepts eclecticism
as being inseparable from evolution of art. Having established these, Goetz
goes on to perform a taxonomical analysis of Maratha Art dividing the Maratha
1

CULTURE AND URBAN MORPHOLOGY: TRANSFORMATION WITH
DEVELOPMENT IN INDIAN CITIES
Rukmini Mukherjee has completed her Bachelor
of Architecture from Jadavpur University,
Kolkata with First Class Honours and is currently
pursuing her Master of Architecture (Urban
Design) from Jadavpur She received two months
training in architecture and conservation at
Escola de Arte e Superior de Deseno, Antonio
Failde in Ourense, Spain, from October-
December, 2009, with fund support by Escola
de Arte e Superior de Deseno, Antonio Failde in
Ourense, Spain.
E-mail : rukmini89@gmail.com
ABACUS Vol. 7 No. 2 Monsoon 2012
Architectural History and Regionalism
RUKMINI MUKHERJEE
ABSTRACT
Culture is an intangible part of the human life that manifests itself in all spheres of living. Culture is captured in
a tangible form in the built environment that is the result of socio-cultural affiliation and economic affordability
of man. The interaction between cultural ethos and quality of life are responsible for moulding the idea of
functional spaces. This relationship is extended from the smallest conceivable living space to the macro scale of
an urban area and is reflected physically in the morphology. In retrospect, the urban form liable to change over
time and use is responsible for moulding the quality and ideas of life and social values. The environment that
shelters its inhabitants provides an associational meaning and ultimately affects the culture of the people. The
relation between culture and urban morphology is a closed system, akin to a control and feedback mechanism,
where slight change in one of them changes the nature of the other and vice versa.
1. INTRODUCTION
Every Indian city has reached out for globalization and development in the
global context. Rapid information interchange has exposed the inherent culture
of the Indian settlements to an unprecedented scale of conflicting ideas and
social values, hence affecting the culture of the urban areas either consciously or
unconsciously. The spatial distribution of areas and their volumetric configuration
has been changing accordingly. The old havelis (private mansions usually with a
courtyard or enclosed space) of Northern India, where seclusion and privacy were
the important considerations along with climatic comfort, and the community
housing of Kolkata till the last century, with some private spaces shared for
common activities of people can be compared. The layered spaces with a central
courtyard, however small, had been provided to include large families and their
ways of life, where interactions between households could take place from one
layer to another visually. This system has morphed along with the character of
family units with time. The large houses now have fragmented ownerships and
multiple tenants, and their uses have rendered these spaces with a different
kind of privacy. The layers which were previously areas for interaction are now
functional as partitions between private areas and different families. The new
developments encouraging the culture of nuclear-family sizes and privacy
within the homes have many areas which are shared spaces, but not really
culture-inclusive. The culture of working families suggests a need for privacy
and segregation from the rest of the inhabitants during the comparatively small
time that is spent at home. Most of the social activities take place outside and
away from the residential areas. The provision of fine-dining facilities and multi-
functional shopping areas has in turn brought about a change in the culture of
the people. Some of these developments have been partially or fully successful
in providing for the social needs of the people, whereas most of them are built
only to sell the square feet, leading to discomfort of its people.
2. METHODOLOGY
The paper discusses about the interaction between culture and the urban
built character through various comparative scenarios of different cultural
groups and their effects on the morphology of their urban area over time.
This paper intends to establish a relation between changing culture and
5

CONTENT ANALYSIS OF SAMARANGANA SUTRADHARA
Dr. Yogesh K. Garg is Professor in Department
of Architecture and Planning, M.A. National
Institute of Technology, Bhopal, India. He is
an architect and planner, has graduated from
MANIT, Bhopal in 1990, completed Masters of
Urban and Rural Planning form University of
Roorkee, Roorkee in 1992 and awarded Ph.D. in
Architecture in 2002. He is recipient of fellowship
for Training of Young Scientist of Madhya
Pradesh, Career Award for Young Teachers
by AICTE and IIA award 2009 in research
Category by Indian Institute of Architects.
E-mail : gargy@manit.ac.in, ar_ykgarg@yahoo.com
Ar. Amogh Kumar Gupta is practicing as
Architect & Valuer at Bhopal. He has graduated
from M. A. National Institute of Technology,
Bhopal in 1985. He did his Masters Degree
from the same College. Presently, he is Chairman,
The Indian Institute of Architects, M.P. Chapter.
E-mail : amoghkgupta@yahoo.co.in
ABACUS Vol. 7 No. 2 Monsoon 2012
Architectural History and Regionalism
DR. YOGESH K. GARG, AMOGH KUMAR GUPTA
1. INTRODUCTION
The architecture of our nation has its roots in the distant past around 2500 B.C.
[Sharma, 2005, p 14]. The existence of the architectural tradition of our nation
is evident mainly through two phenomena. The first is the built examples of
architectural excellence and presence of architectural literature in the form
of treatises in Sanskrit and regional languages. These are primarily known as
the Vastushastras, the science of architecture. These treatises are in the form
of manuscripts out of which many have translated. A few of the commonly
known texts are Vishvakarma Vastushastra, Aparajita Praccha, Manasara,
Rajavallabha, Mayamatam, Samarangana Sutradhara etc. In this category
many Sanskrit architectural texts with English translation are available today. In
the present context vastu brings myriad of reactions to people in general. The
popular meaning of vastu as interpreted by the society is something mystical,
superstitious or ritualistic, whereas in true sense, vastu is Sanskrit equivalent of
architecture.
For the purpose of clarification, regarding the misconception of the word
vastu Content Analysis of Samarangana Sutradhara, one of the poplar ancient
Indian architectural treatises is done and their results are analyzed. The treatise
referred here is in two volumes with a total of 83 chapters and 6637 verses.
This treatise is translated from Sanskrit to English and Hindi by various authors.
Major contributors are Dr. D.N. Shukla and Pt. Sudarshan Kumar Sharma. The
content analysis of Samarangana Sutradhara is based on these translations.
2. CONTENT ANALYSIS
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of the manifest and latent content of a body of communicated material
(as a book or film) through a classification, tabulation, and evaluation of its
key symbols and themes in order to ascertain its meaning and probable
effect. Content Analysis is a research technique for systematically examining
descriptive data. It is a technique in which the researchers who apply such
techniques can design it into a qualitative, a quantitative, or a combination of
both qualitative and quantitative data analysis methodology [Ginger Lin 2002].
As per the Colorado State University guide on Content Analysis [1993], Content
Analysis has most often been thought of in terms of conceptual analysis. In
conceptual analysis, a concept is chosen for examination, and the analysis
involves quantifying and tallying its presence; also known as thematic analysis.
The steps for conducting conceptual Analysis are:
t
Decide the level of analysis.
t
Decide how many concepts to code for.
t
Decide whether to code for existence or frequency of a concept.
t
Decide on how you will distinguish among concepts.
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Develop rules for coding your texts.
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Decide what to do with irrelevant information.
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11
Dwelling Architecture as an Expression of Culture establishing Continuum in the Place of Migration The case of Nattukkottai...

DWELLING ARCHITECTURE AS AN EXPRESSION OF CULTURE

ESTABLISHING CONTINUUM IN THE PLACE OF MIGRATION THE
CASE OF NATTUKKOTTAI CHETTIARS OF CHETTINADU IN THE URBAN
CONTEXT OF CHENNAI
DR. RANEE VEDAMUTHU, KUMUDHAVALLI SASIDHAR

1. PREMISE
Communities on migration to an urban context recreate tangible structures
and intangible customs and beliefs invested with meanings, of their traditional
context to establish an ethnic identity. According to Amos Rapoport although
a wide variety of means are used to establish and maintain identity, dwellings
and other built environments play an important role. K.S. Nair in discussing the
concept of ethnicity and ethnic group states that a group of immigrants who Dr. Ranee Vedamuthu currently heads the School
simulate their native culture in the urban area may be said to constitute an of Architecture and Planning, Anna University,
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Chennai, India. Having a Post graduate degree
analyzing Indonesian settlements argues that migration is no drain or negative in Architecture, her specialization is in the
area of human settlements and traditional and
impact on the traditional cultures. The migrants often maintain very strong vernacular architecture. Her Doctoral work
ties with place of origin, while experiencing a heightened sense of ethnic focused on the socio cultural manifestation of
identity in the strange urban context. Trace of this ethnicity expressed through dwellings in rural Tamil Nadu.
material structures such as architecture form, evidence of cultural continuum E-mail : raneev@annauniv.edu
between the migrated urban context and traditional context. This search for
cultural continuum expressed through architecture, is discussed with the case
of Nattukkottai Chettiars of Chettinadu (Fig: 1.0.a), Tamilnadu, South India, who
for purposes of trade migrated to Chennai (Fig: 1.0.a).

Kumudhavalli Sasidhar is currently doing her

PhD at School of Architecture and Planning,
Anna University, Chennai, India under
the guidance of Dr. Ranee Vedamuthu. Her
research is on the architectural anthropolgy
of the traditional community of Nagarathars
of Chettinadu, on migration to the urban
context of Chennai. She is a visiting faculty at
architectural colleges at Chennai, India.
E-mail : ar.kumudha@gmail.com

Fig. 1.0. a. Tamilnadu map showing Chettinadu and Chennai (Source : Google Map)

16 ABACUS Vol. 7 No. 2 Monsoon 2012

Development and Transformation of Buddhist Architecture in Central India: Case of Sanchi

DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSFORMATION OF BUDDHIST ARCHITECTURE

IN CENTRAL INDIA: CASE OF SANCHI
ANKITA SRIVASTAVA, ANUBHAV SHRIVASTAVA, DR. KRISHNA KUMAR DHOTE
ABSTRACT
The history of Indian architecture is as old as civilization. Unlike its western counterpart the Indian architecture
is in multiple layers built in different periods of civilization. The various styles of different period which, were
the outcome of multiple socio-cultural & religious beliefs, political power and locale still exists. As centuries
progressed, there were many transformations in the architectural styles, elements and their detailings in
a building or a group of monuments itself into a new concept and all these styles co-existed. Undoubtedly
Buddhist architecture emerges as one of the major school and has its roots deeply implanted in Indian soil since
255 BC when the Mauryan emperor Ashoka established Buddhism as the state religion of his large empire. Ankita Srivastava is an architect-planner with
keen interest in heritage and urban development
Unfortunately the post independence development in India did not seek lessons from the legacy it inherited issues. She is currently pursuing Ph.D in the
and blindly followed the west in urge to become modern. Department of Architecture and Planning,
The present paper is an attempt to review the chronological architectural development of Buddhist architecture MANIT, Bhopal.
in the region of Central India with the help of Sanchi to evolve a transformation pattern that emerged due to E-mail : ar.ankita@gmail.com
change in material and construction techniques, built mass to establish the fact that the practice of religion
demanded a different space which was influenced by the building art of that period (i.e 3rd BC to 11th AD). Due
consideration will be given to understand the underlying ideologies and philosophy of Buddhist architectural
development & its transformation.
Key words : Buddhist Architecture, chronological architectural development, transformation pattern

1. INTRODUCTION
The great Indian peninsula has been recognised as land of the Buddha by
hundreds and millions around the world. The term Buddhism comes from the Anubhav Shrivastava is an architect-planner
Sanskrit word buddh which means the awakening from darkness of ignorance having prudent experience in sector of urban
planning and local governance. Currently
into light of teaching. In India, Buddhism flourished between the 5th and 12th working as State Level Project Co-ordinator, Rajiv
centuries BC and practiced in China, Japan, Tibet and all almost all other parts of Awas Yogana (RAY) at Urban Administration
Asia even today. The religion has contributed during the years of rise, spread, and Development Department (UADD) GoMP,
decline, through change over from semi-pastoral tribal life to the first absolute besides pursuing Ph.D at MANIT, Bhopal.
monarchies and then to feudalism. The reflection of the same can be observed E-mail : anubhav2602@gmail.com
in the art, architectural and cultural development. This paper is an attempt to
review the chronological architectural development of Buddhist architecture
with the case study of Great Sanchi Stupa (derived from prakrit word thupa
which suggests low circular mounds of earth surrounded by ring of big boulders).
1.1 Aim of the paper:
The aim of the paper is to review the chronological architectural development
of Buddhist architecture in the region of Central India with the help of Sanchi
to evolve a transformation pattern that emerged due to change in material
and construction techniques, built mass to establish the fact that, the practice Dr. K.K. Dhote is a Professor at Department of
Architecture and Planning, MANIT, Bhopal.
of religion demanded a different space which was influenced by the building Having 20 years of experience in field of Urban
art of that period (3rd BC to 11th AD). Planning and Development with significance
1.2 Methodology focus on Urban Renewal.
In order to understand the main ideology and philosophy of religion, its impact E-mail : kkdhote@hotmail.com
on architecture during the various centuries on Sanchi, chronological evolution
was studied. Buddhist Architecture has its influence in almost every part of south
Asia. Even in India, the regional influences are significant. However, the present
study focuses on central India, in which the Stupa of Sanchi stands as a testimony
to the rich architectural influences of major dynasties of that period. Different
architectural styles were identified on the basis of form, material & building

22 ABACUS Vol. 7 No. 2 Monsoon 2012

The Havelis of Ramgarh, Shekhawati, Rajasthan: A Study on Thermal Response of Built Heritage

THE HAVELIS OF RAMGARH, SHEKHAWATI, RAJASTHAN: A STUDY ON

THERMAL RESPONSE OF BUILT HERITAGE
DR. ABIR BANDYOPADHYAY, NEHA AWASTHI
ABSTRACT
Shekhawati; located in deserts of Rajasthan faces harsh hot-dry climate throughout the year. Havelis of
merchants, which were built during 1850s in Shekhawati, are still being used as residences. These havelis
were built at a time, when there was no mechanical means of comfort available; and still the buildings were
optimised to provide considerable comfort level. This paper attempts to examine the thermal conditions within
some of these havelis and indicates how the study of these havelis can help a present day architect.
Dr. Abir Bandyopadhyay is Professor in the
1. INTRODUCTION Department of Architecture, National Institute
of Technology, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India. He
Sikar, Churu and Jhunjhunu are the three districts which comprises the has done his B.Arch. from Calcutta University;
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Masters in Planning (specialization in Urban
villages which possess havelis (mansions), which are world famous for fresco Planning) from SPA, New Delhi and Ph.D.from
paintings. Ramgarh is located in Sikar district of Shekhawati. Also known as IIT Kharagpur. His research interests include
History of Architecture, Town Planning, Space
Ramgarh Sethan, it was a settlement of merchants who were from Marwar Syntax Analysis, Architectural Conservation and
region of Rajasthan. These merchants built their havelis in early 1850s; when Urban Planning.
no mechanical means of comfortable was available. The havelis must have been E-mail : abir_bandyopadhyay@yahoo.co.in
designed to buffer the climate extremes and provide a comfort environment
to live.
For understanding the thermal response of these havelis, it is imperative to
know the climate of Ramgarh, the social, economical and cultural aspects of
the people, the spaces within a haveli, the orientation of havelis, the thermal
behaviour of spaces, the study of sciagraphy, the proportions used and the
overall comfort-discomfort period analyses.

Neha Awasthi, an architect, is working as

Lecturer (on contract) in the Department of
Architecture National Institute of Technology,
Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India. She has graduated
from NIT, Raipur. She has won the Best Thesis
Award and received Ar. Minhas Memorial
Trophy of Deshbandhu Pratibha Kosh for her B.
Arch. Thesis titled A Study of Thermal Response
of Shekhawati, Rajasthan.
E-mail : nehaawasthi15@gmail.com

Fig 1. Sikar district map (source: Google images)

28 ABACUS Vol. 7 No. 2 Monsoon 2012


COMPARING TECHNIQUES, BIOCLIMATIC FEATURES AND INDOOR
THERMAL CONDITIONS INSIDE HERITAGE AND MODERN BUILDINGS
IN KOLKATA.
Margot Pellegrino (UMR 7218 CNRS LAVUE,
Ecole darchitecture de Paris Val-de-Seine, Paris)
has a doctor degree in Architecture and Urban
planning (Politecnico of Turin, Universit Paris
Ouest Nanterre, 2010). She participates in
national and international research on issues
of urban and architectural composition and
adaptive thermal comfort.
E-mail: margot233@tiscali.it
ABACUS Vol. 7 No. 2 Monsoon 2012
Technological Developments
MARGOT PELLEGRINO
ABSTRACT
This article aims at studying the link between characteristics and typologies of some private residential
buildings in Kolkata and the corresponding internal thermal conditions. Field study results (n= 11 buildings
monitored and studied) show how some elements, such as thickness of walls, ceilings height, presence of
shading elements, characteristics of the context, have been progressively reduced over time. Such a reduction
has had important and negative consequences on buildings vulnerability to outdoor temperatures. The findings
reinforce the reflections on the need to build houses respecting higher qualitative standards.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Until the first half of the 20th century, architecture of urban private houses in
Kolkata never forgot the lessons coming from tradition [Taylor, 2006]. Houses
were first built in brick, with lime-brick, dust mortar and later on with cement-
sand mortar, but thickness of the walls, shading systems (verandahs, porches),
courtyard and the insulation of the roof were the shared guidelines for a
climate-responsive architecture. Colonial houses followed that model: various
styles (neo classicism, neo baroque, revival, modernism, liberty) certainly
influenced decoration and spatial organization, but the basic principles
continued to be applied.
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well-known story, shared also by the majority of the megalopolis in the world.
Economic pressure, development rate, industrialized-cement based technology,
growing prices of free land; but also other traumatic events (famine, political
partitions, struggles) have led to the creation of a dense and qualitatively poor
architecture, where the attention to the environment has been frequently
forgotten. Even if some high quality neighborhoods were built, especially in the
1960s and the 1970s, the standards unstoppably started to fall down [Racine,
1990]: traditional techniques were abandoned, without being replaced by
innovative and modern solutions. Recent private houses mostly share the same
typology with thin walls, lack of shading systems, lack of insulation, especially
on the roof: they are almost totally dependent on air conditioning.
The lack of attention to environmental and climatic conditions can be
particularly unadvisable in a climatic context such as the one in Kolkata. The
city has a typical tropical, warm and humid climate. Average outdoor high
temperatures (March November) are higher than 30C, with a high percentage
of relative humidity. The study of solar irradiation on typical building surfaces
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solar heating [Pellegrino et al., 2012]. Fortunately, the wind pattern in Kolkata
is helpful to bio-climatic comfort. The summer months (March to September)
benefit from an almost permanent breeze, always coming from the South.
Therefore, traditional architecture has typically the largest facade facing the
South, to let in as much breeze as possible.
This article aims at studying the link between characteristics and typologies of
some private residential buildings in Kolkata and the corresponding internal
35
Universality Beats Particularity: Sameness and Place Making beyond Geography and Time in Twentieth Century Architecture.

UNIVERSALITY BEATS PARTICULARITY: SAMENESS AND PLACEMAKING

BE YOND GEOGRAPHY AND TIME IN TWENTIETH CENTURY
ARCHITECTURE.
PIERLUIGI SERRAINO
1. INTRODUCTION
The research objective of this paper argues for is a critical look at the correlation
and causation of the use of photography in the construction of multiple
-and often competing- narratives in architectural history. The findings show
that striking similarities of design idiom and photographic representation
circulated in countries with various degrees of industrialization worldwide.
Such homogeneity of built environments in places radically dissimilar from each
Pierluigi Serraino is an architect, author, and
other in culture, location, construction know-how, and social structure bears educator. He holds multiple professional and
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research degrees in architecture from Italy and the
United States. He has written numerous essays
2. PROBLEM STATEMENT and lectured widely.

Since the 1930, the intercourse between architecture and photography is His works and writings have been published
in professional and scholarly journals. He has
as strong as it has ever been. As a surrogate of the real world experience, authored four books.
photography broadcasts the existence of architecture over the globe. It exports
E-mail : pierluigi@pierluigiserraino.com
taste, aesthetic, currency, and design standards to the most remote corners of
the planet with cultural and geographical contexts vastly different from each
other. However, it does so in a rather peculiar way. Such way exerts decisive
consequences on the qualitative appraisal of the object it represents and its
relevance in the constellation of mutual influences between architects and
buildings. It is through photographs that readers assimilate and internalize
three-dimensional content, position works as part of a lineage, and eventually
endorse a specific architectural heritage. Buildings of radically diverse size,
type, and in totally different locations can easily appear in the same double
spread of a book severed from their immediate surroundings and reduced to
similar sizes, with value judgment appended to them often on the basis of
their formal merits only by comparison to others. Besides generating visual
records, architectural photography performs a set of distinct operations. It turns
ordinary landscapes into extraordinary events. It portrays reality as it should
be as opposed to as it is in its disorderly state. It is the great visual equalizer of
the industrial age and beyond. It scoops out detail out of the whole. Even when
the picture depicts the overall building, that representation severs the artifact
from the continuum of the built environment. Together, these conditions are
generative of a visual code that locks perception to aura to canon formation
in the institutional fabrication of architectural narratives for posterity.

2.1 Image Buildings in Books: Between Legitimacy and Creative License

Leafing through the pages of any history book regardless of the respective
analytical perspectives of their authors (from the legendary Space, Time and
Architecture by Sigfried Giedion to the latest The Future of Architecture Since 1889
by Jean-Louis Cohen), photographs are included for their graphic punch and
their fitness to a publication layout within the textual narrative. And yet each
architectural statement frequently retains remarkable substantive- when not
incompatible- differences of design intent and circumstances in its own place
of construction when seen next to its editorial neighbor.

40 ABACUS Vol. 7 No. 2 Monsoon 2012

Eclecticism in Fontainhas, the heritage core within Panjim, Goa

ECLECTICISM IN FONTAINHAS, THE HERITAGE CORE WITHIN PANJIM,

GOA
RANGAN CHATTERJEE

ABSTRACT
Economic exchanges and activity dominance have been the major forces in the development of town centres
throughout history. Since the onset of industrialization, capital investments of many kinds have focussed on
the potential urban centres reflecting the diversification of the economy; leading to changes in the social,
economic & architectural layers of the urban fabric.
Rangan Chatterjee is a young architect-urban
Fontainhas, located within the core of the city Panjim, has been a prime Latin quarter since the Portuguese planner involved in the real-estate consultancy
colonization dated eighteenth century. This old canton, which was once a beautiful neighbourhood with buildings field in India. After graduating from BIT Mesra
related to human scale, eclectic architectural styles and was receptive to tropical climate, has lost its pristine glory in 2005, he pursued post-graduation in City
Planning from IIT Kharagpur (2005- 07). For
and is now on the brink of getting converted to a jungle of concrete. Over the years, intensity of urban problems the last five years, he has been actively involved
of Fontainhas has multiplied due to haphazard and ad-hoc planning - not only had the old buildings decayed in large scale master-planning as well as in
but sooner they became derisory for the changing needs; individual buildings and the whole pattern have proven mid-scale project management consultancy across
inadequate and incapable of change . With a history of heterogeneous population and a unique cultural heritage India. Currently he is working with an IPC in
the Occupier Services vertical in Mumbai.
synthesized over centuries, the sub -systems of Fontainhas may be called in question today.
E-mail : rangan.chatterjee@hotmail.com
Due to lack of public awareness, pressure of urbanization and rapid commercialization, this immensely
imageable and potential neighbourhood is gradually losing its character. This paper attempts to analyze and
delineate the current transition model for the Latin Quarter.
Key words: Eclecticism, diversification of economy, urban fabric, Latin Quarter, heritage, neighbourhood,
transition model

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Eclecticism is a cognitive psychology characterized precisely of no specific
architectural styles but portraying a homogeneous imagery with layers of

44 ABACUS Vol. 7 No. 2 Monsoon 2012


AN ANALYTICAL FORMAT FOR IDENTIFICATION AND TRANSLATION
OF TRADITIONAL PRINCIPLES FOR DESIGNING CONTEMPORARY
CHATUSHALA RESIDENTIAL HOUSES OF KERALA
Santhoshkumar K.G. is a research scholar in
the Department of Architecture & Regional
Planning, IIT Kharagpur, India.
E-mail : architectsanthosh@gmail.com
Dr. Sanghamitra Basu is an Associate Professor
in the Department of Architecture & Regional
Planning, IIT Kharagpur, India. Her research
interests include: Architectural Design and
Pedagogy, Post Modernism & Contemporary
Architecture, Architectural Heritage & Urban
Conservation.
E-mail : sbasu@arp.iitkgp.ernet.in
ABACUS Vol. 7 No. 2 Monsoon 2012
Interpretation of History in Modern Architecture
SANTHOSH KUMAR K.G., DR. SANGHAMITRA BASU
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Till 20th century, layout design of residences of Kerala depended entirely
on the canonical Vastu principles (Menon, 1983). This knowledge system
is a combination of mathematical rules (proportions, dimensions etc.) and
syntactical systems (adjacency, orientation etc.). A preliminary study of the
layouts of contemporary houses of Kerala, which are published during the past
five years, show that, it is a common practice amongst the architects of the
region to incorporate the traditional principles in their design. It is presumed
that adherence to the traditional principles is mainly to satisfy their clients.
However, it should also be noted that, the translation of traditional principles
depends on an architects own interpretation and understanding of those.
Generally, the architects take the basic traditional rules as a given format
and generate their own design to suit contemporary standards and building
bye laws. Alternatively they get their design ratified by Vastu-pundits who
are conversant with those rules. These methods (especially in the later case)
often end up in a compromise formula, mainly due to a disconnect that exists
between traditional principles and contemporary architectural training and
practices.
To arrive at more authentic design solutions, there is a need to establish explicit
and systematic links between the generative principles of traditional forms
with the present day considerations and design attributes.
The research reported in this paper formulates a methodology to identify the
attributes that are characteristic of layouts of contemporary Chatushala houses
of Kerala. Here, the name Chatushala represents a contemporary house that
follows the fundamental principle of traditional Chatushala - a combination of
four blocks built around a central space. This particular house type was selected
for detailed study since it encompasses most of the rules related to residential
design. In this study, attributes that refer to the spatial organization, principles
of layout and space definition, were considered.
This research was carried out in two stages. In the first stage, based on
available research publications, a detailed study of the traditional principles
was carried out (Section 2.1) followed by a study of residential layouts of
traditional Chatushalas (Section 2.2). In the second phase of research (Section
3), a sample of twenty two contemporary Chatushala type layouts were
studied (from published cases supported with actual case studies). Objective
was to understand the changes, if any, in the residential layout, to fit present-
day requirements. Section 3.3 deals with types of changes 1) by addition
or omission of spaces and 2) in the ways spaces are defined by present day
architects. To identify the degree of changes in the character of space, a method
was devised, to describe the spaces in terms of measurable attributes of space
establishing elements and finally, to evolve a scaling method (Section 4.2). This
helps not only in understanding the pattern of change or continuity, but also
in assessing the degree of change in a particular type of space. This analysis
49
Orissan Temple Architecture and Vastu Purusha Mandala for evolution process

ORISSAN TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE AND VASTU PURUSHA MANDALA

FOR EVOLUTION PROCESS
PARTHA SARATHI MISHRA
ABSTRACT
This paper focuses on the study of the Orissan Hindu Temple in a different way. There has been a lot of research
into Orissan Hindu Temple Architecture. But the dimensional study with respect to shape and geometry in a
modern way are unexplored. A shape and geometrical analysis of Orissan Hindu Temple architecture through
dimensional analysis has been carried out to know the evolution process of Orissan temple architecture. Again
this paper presents the inter-relationship between typical Orissan temple elements and their changing scenario
with respect to different phases that the Orissan temple is known for like formative phase, transitional phase,
Partha Sarathi Mishra is working as Assistant.
mature phase and phase of decadence. The stages of temple construction and its techniques that have been Professor in Lovely Professional University. He
adopted in temple construction from 6th century to 16th century has been studied not only through different has done his Master in Architecture from IIT,
literature but also through a comparative dimensional study of these temple elements considering different Roorkee, on Shape and Geometry of Orissan
Temple Architecture. He has a keen interest in
aspects and their relevance in modern day Hindu temple construction. Finally the paper aims to present an
exploring the lost architectural elements in terms
evolution process of the Orissan temple architecture through dimensional study of temples taken from different of design and planning issues and their hidden
time periods from Orissan Temple and their comparison with each other for the calculation of the temples. geometrical aspects.

Key words : Orissan temple architecture, Garbhagriha, Jagamohana, Natyamandapa, Bhogamandapa E-mail : parthaconcept@gmail.com
and Slenderness ratio.

1.0 INTRODUCTION
In this present investigation, an attempt has been made to understand the
architectural characteristics of the Orissan Temple Architectural elements
through shape and geometry study. To understand these temples architectural
character has been done to deduce the original form through visual
investigation, because all the temples are not present in their original form.
Hindu philosophy views the cosmos to be homogeneous and self-similar in
nature. According to ancient architectural tradition, Hindu temples are symbols
of models of cosmos and their forms represent cosmos symbolically.
The Orissan Temple is a synthesis of archetypes consciously combined and
skillfully made into structures of abstract geometry and precise numbers. It
is an impressive mixture which solves architectural problems using concepts
from the typically Hindu religious vision of Planetary Order. There are a
number of symbolisms combined in the Orissan temple. The temple is a
noticeable sign of a mystery, an access point designed to solve lifes problems.
In the superstructure of the Orissan Temple, perhaps its most characteristic
feature, the identification of the temple with the mountain is specific and the
superstructure itself is known as a mountain peak or crest. The curved contours
of a temples superstructures and its tiered arrangements suggest the visual
effect of a mountain peak (Deheja, 1979). The architecture of the Orissan Temple
symbolically represents the search for moksha (ultimate spiritual liberation, the
realization of singleness) by setting out to dissolve the boundaries between
man and the divine. For this purpose, certain ideas are associated with the
very forms and materials of the building. Paramount is the identification of
the divinity with the form of the temple (Karmisch, 1977).
The main aim of this paper is to analyze previous hypothesis and extract the
theme and concept of temple shape and geometry to understand its evolution
process.

58 ABACUS Vol. 7 No. 2 Monsoon 2012

8QQLVKHGDQG,QFRPSOHWH%XLOGLQJVRIWKH3DVW7UHDVXUHVRI(YROXWLRQDU\([SHULPHQWDWLRQV

UNFINISHED AND INCOMPLETE BUILDINGS OF THE PAST TREASURES

OF EVOLUTIONARY EXPERIMENTATIONS.
MUKTA LATKAR-TALWALKAR.
Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it. - Confucius (551 BC - 479 BC)

ABSTRACT:
Analysis of the precedents always forms a main part of any methodology to study the past events, development
and evolution. Architectural analysis of a building stresses a good importance to study the monuments already
built and take important lessons and guidance from them. Study of the past always gives a great insight into
the various aspects of design and material advances, technological and structural innovations, social and
Mukta Latkar Talwalkar is a Professor with
cultural habits, customs and rituals leading to spatial configurations and much more.
The Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Architecture,
However, analysis of the buildings of the past also interestingly reveals a lot many buildings which are major Pune. After her Bachelors in Architecture,
she has completed her Post Graduate Studies
architectural achievements of the time but still incomplete or unfinished in their execution. Some of the
in Planning, Environment Education and
buildings would have certainly become landmark constructions had they been finished the way they were Indology. She actively works with Aranyavaak,
conceived to be constructed. an organization working in Heritage and
Environment Awareness as an Educator and
It is strongly felt that even a study of these incomplete and unfinished buildings reveal a lot about the Interpreter.
architectural understanding of the building. Many a times the unfinishness of the building seems to have a E-mail : latkarm@gmail.com
lot to express about various other contemporary situations than architecture alone. The reasons why these
buildings have remained unfinished and incomplete divulge a lot many aspects important to the architectural
evolution but which are not directly architecturally, structurally or constructionally relevant.
The paper mainly tries to analyse the various aspects that the unfinished and incomplete buildings help
understand. A study of the same help to uncover various perspectives and notions which would otherwise not
have got noticed or seemed unimportant. The paper lists many of the unfinished monuments trying to trace the
circumstances leading to their state, which also adds valuable insights into the holistic developmental analysis.

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Rarely would a creator not want to finish what he started with but at times
various circumstances lead to the incomplete status of the creation. Many
unforeseen rationales act as major hindrances in the completion of the project.
Incomplete or unfinished buildings thus help us realize the many circumstantial
conditions and contemporary situations. The unfinished buildings thus
unfailingly succeed in giving various clues to its formation and problems
towards its execution.

2.0 WHY STRUCTURES REMAIN INCOMPLETE?

There could be many reasons for the construction work being halted and being
incomplete. Some of them could be that works are generally stopped when
the creator or the political patron ceases to exist. Not unless his progeny is
interested to complete what he started, work remains abandoned.
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Locational or structural problem or aspects not considered in the stages of
planning lead to desertation of the work initiated. Many a times, as examples
reveal, the material or mediums of construction shows faults and work has to
be halted due to the material failure.
Dramatic shifts in administrative controls and political scenarios play a decisive role.
Though the dynasty ruling remains the same the choice of the new kings are not in

64 ABACUS Vol. 7 No. 2 Monsoon 2012


ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN AND SEMANTICS: AN EXPERIMENT IN
JUXTAPOSITIONING
Sampada Peshwe is an Architect and Product
Designer, currently pursuing her doctoral study
on Creative Thinking in the Architecture Design
Studio. She is an Assistant Professor at Smt.
Manoramabai Mundle College of Architecture,
Nagpur.
E-mail : sampada.ap@gmail.com
Dr. Lakshmi Rao is an Associate Professor in
Architecture Education at Smt. Manorambai
Mundle College of Architecture, Nagpur. A
doctorate in Education, she is currently working
on developing Higher Order Thinking Skills in
students for quality design outputs.
ABACUS Vol. 7 No. 2 Monsoon 2012
Evolution of Theory of Architecture
SAMPADA A. PESHWE, LAKSHMI S. RAO
ABSTRACT
The role of an architect today has metamorphosed from that of a master builder to a master leader, co-
ordinating between multiple teams and consultants with varied specializations, entailing that architects
today need to be integrators of a gamut of diverse skills.
Over time, architecture itself has transitioned through countless manifestations. It is now time for exploration
of meaning in architecture. The capacity to investigate, extract and apply meaning in architectural design is
also a skill that needs to be added to the repertoire of skills of an architect in todays times. The major challenge
in architecture education lies in developing this diversified set of skills in students.
This paper deals with the authors experimentation in juxtapositioning Guilfords Structure of Intellect with
architectural design in order to identify the creative abilities that contribute to the skill set essential to architectural
design and subsequently formulate basic design tasks that would enhance these contributing abilities.
The authors hypothesize that architecture education typically focuses on developing the concrete type of intelligence
resulting in negligence towards abstract intelligence. In this paper, the authors explore the enhancement of abstract
intelligence by honing the creative abilities within the purview of figural and semantic content.
Key words : Architectural Semantics, Architectural Design, Basic Design, Guilfords Structure of Intellect,
Creative Abilities.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
As the society progresses and evolves, it witnesses a concurrent transformation
in the roles of the people constituting it. Today, the paradoxical trends of
uber- connectedness through various technical media on one hand and micro
specialization in each field on the other entail that people have to extend
themselves beyond their core competencies and embrace knowledge offered
by specialists from their own field as well as neighbouring fields. Professional
domains, with their boundaries fast blurring and merging with bordering
domains, are becoming increasingly complex; which means it is becoming
essential for professionals today to acquire skills other than those required by
their core profession to be successful in their new roles.
The profession of architecture is no stranger to this progression. The role of an
architect in present times has metamorphosed from that of a master builder to a
master leader, co-ordinating between multiple teams and consultants with varied
specializations. This means that the skill set of an architect has to go beyond that
of a designer to envelop that of a manager. One can infer that today architects
need to be integrators of a gamut of diverse skills. Salama (1995) mentions that
one of the very early studies regarding the changing role of the architect was
done in the beginning of the 20th century by Clipson Sturgis (1914) who stated:
It (architecture) is a diversity of gifts. Architects who emphasize one of these
capabilities are incompletely equipped, and render imperfect service as architects.
The role or definition of architecture itself has undergone a transformation
over time. Salama (1995) states that several studies by noted researchers
such as Doxiades (1963), Bolman (1981) and Gutman (1988) have pointed
to the radical changes in the profession and, by extrapolation, architecture.
Architecture has transitioned through countless manifestations from being
71

SHAKTIPEETHAS THE SACRED LANDSCAPES..... AN EFFORT TO
SAFEGUARD OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE
Harveen Bhandari is an Associate Professor in
Architecture Department, Chitkara University,
Punjab. She completed her B. Arch in 2003
(G.Z.S. College, Bathinda) and M. Arch in
2011 (Chitkara University, Punjab). Her
research interest includes Vernacular Architecture,
Sacredscapes and Heritage Landscapes.
Email : harveen_bhandari@yahoo.com

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ABACUS Vol. 7 No. 2 Monsoon 2012
Evolution of Theory of Architecture
HARVEEN BHANDARI
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Shaktism, along with Shaivism (worship of God Shiva and
Vishnu)andVaisnavism, is one of the three primary schools of Hinduism.
Shaktism focuses worship uponShakti(Devi) the HinduDivine Mother as
the absolute, ultimate Godhead, the one without a second, with all other
forms to be merely her diverse manifestations. Shakti is supreme Tridevi
(conjoined forms of Lakshmi, Parvati and Saraswati ) and Shaktas (followers
of Shaktism) focus all worship on this dynamic feminine aspect and Shiva,
the masculine aspect of divinity, is considered solely transcendent. The
Shaktipeethas are places of worship consecrated to the goddess Sati being
variously described in different religious texts as 18, 51, 52 or 108 in number.
They are scattered over Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka to Bangladesh and are
classified on the basis of body parts of the Goddess.
1.1 Legend associated with Shaktipeethas
A fascinating legend gives insight into mythology that clearly affirms the
similarity among all temples as places where different organs/parts of Satis
body and ornaments fell became holy places of the goddess, Shaktipeethas.
InSatyayuga,Sati an ardent devotee of Shiva, married Shiva against her
father Dakshas wishes. To take revenge, Daksha insulted Shiva and Sati,
being unable to bear her husbands insult, immolated herself in fire.
Shiva immersed in grief, picked up the remains of Satis body, and started
the dance of destruction through the Universe. To stop the devastating
penance, Vishnu used his Sudarshan Chakra to cut Satis body in several
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different manifestations of goddess and became famous Hindu pilgrimage
ShaktiPeetha. For countless centuries, these sites have been believed to
have miraculous healing powers for a womans body part similar to Shaktis
body. Some ShaktiPeethas are referred as Siddha-Peethas because they are
highly effective for the acquisition of spiritual powers and some are very
powerful Mahashaktipeethas.
2.0 SHAKTIPEETHAS-PILGRIMAGE CIRCUIT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
Himachal Pradesh tops the list of states in India with maximum number
of sacred groves i.e. 5000, referred as Abode of Gods (Devabhoomi). The
splendid height of the Himalayan ranges and its great scenic beauty with
aura of spiritual calmness seems the natural home of the Gods. Five of the
famous Shaktipeethas are located in the Himachal Pradesh (Table 2.0.b)
and they form a popular pilgrimage circuit (Table 2.0.a). Every year lakhs of
pilgrims visit these temples during Navaratras, the biggest Shakta festival.
These Shaktipeethas are identified with Sati/Shaktis body part, the place
where the body part fell and the name as which Shakti is worshipped.
79

ARCHITECTURAL TRENDS IN COLONIAL HERITAGE OF BIHAR: A
RESOURCE TO BE CONSERVED
DR. KAMINI SINHA, SHAILENDRA KUMAR MANDAL, DR. MANOJ KUMAR
Kamini Sinha holds a
degree in Architecture
from the Bihar College
of Engineering, Patna;
Master of Architecture in
Architectural Conservation
from School of Planning
and Architecture, New
Delhi and Ph.D. from Patna University,
Patna. At present she is Assistant Professor in
Department of Architecture, National Institute
of Technology Patna, India. Her area of interest
includes Urban Conservation, Vernacular
Architecture and History of Architecture.
E-mail : kamini_nitp@yahoo.com
Shailendra Kumar Mandal holds a degree in
Architecture from the National Institute of
Technology Patna and a Master of City Planning

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from Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur,
India. At present he is Assistant Professor in
Department of Architecture at National Institute
of Technology Patna, India.
E-mail : vastumandala@yahoo.com
Manoj Kumar is an Associate Professor in the
Department of Architecture, National Institute
of Technology Patna. He holds a bachelors degree
in Architecture from Bihar College of Engineering
Patna, Master in Urban and Rural Planning
from University of Roorke and Ph. D. from
Patna University.
E-mail : manojkr_nitp@yahoo.co.in
ABACUS Vol. 7 No. 2 Monsoon 2012
Study and Conservation of Built Heritage
ABSTRACT
The colonial history of Bihar spans a period of nearly three hundred and fifty years. During their stay, along
with other fields as education, health, economics etc., the colonizers made contribution to the state in terms
of architecture as well. Since they had initially come for business, they mostly stayed in rented structures. But
as they settled with time, building work for their own use started. The Architectural style of the establishment
of different European countries in Bihar varied depicting their standing in the business market. It varied from
Utilitarian, Renaissance, Classical Revival, Neoclassical to Gothic. After achieving the right to Diwani1, the
British ousted the other European companies to become the sole power in the region. They saw themselves
as the successors to the Mughals and sought to present themselves in that way. They used architecture as a
symbol of power, superior religion or a superior way of life. It was believed that the greatness of a civilization
was expressed in its architecture. Various alternatives were tried to make such statements, for which they
majorly drew inspirations by looking back home. Alterations in the Neoclassical appeared as a divergence
between the architects. Sometimes it followed the Palladian models or it ranged to pure Greek revival. Definite
Imperial style never emerged but the invention, energy and adaptability from that point on was formidable.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The region of Bihar has been important from time immemorial. Patliputra
was the capital of the great Mauryan Empire, which has been identified to be
about the site of Patna (Capital of Bihar). Bihar continued to be the seat of the
greatest dynasties till the twelfth century when it dipped for its low times. But
it regained its powers in the early sixteenth century under the Afghan rulers,
who, at a time rose higher to gain the powers at the imperial capital Delhi.
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region of Bihar. Later, during the rule of Akbar the great, Bihar was made one
of the Subah2 of his empire.
It was during the Mughal rule, in the 15thcentury that many European communities
had started coming to India for establishing trade. The Portuguese were the first
on the scene. In about 1600, several other European nations began to play a part
in the game. East India Companies were formed in Amsterdam, London and
Copenhagen and the Portuguese monopoly of the spice trade was broken by
force. In the beginning of the 1660s the Dutch conquered many of the Portuguese
possessions and founded new colonies themselves. Some decades later the Dutch,
British and French were all fighting for the control of the South-East Asia.
The British came to Bihar in the early seventeenth century3 along with the
English East India Company for trading. Almost simultaneously with the British
other European trading companies like the Dutch, French, Danes, Portuguese
and Armenians, etc. also came to Bihar. Bihar at that time was rich, from the
point of view of trade in salt petre, opium, silk etc. It was a centre of trade,
commerce, education and administration. The richness of the region made
the powers fight amongst themselves for the control of the region. In the race
that followed, the British ousted the other companies. By winning the Battle of
Buxar and the Battle of Plassey, they gained administrative role and ruled over
Bihar and the rest of the country, till India gained its independence in 1947.
Since Colonial Bihar included Bihar and Jharkhand of today, the word Bihar
in this paper includes both of them.
87
Conservation and Development of Built Heritage of Shimla

CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF BUILT HERITAGE OF SHIMLA

DR. PUSHPLATA, ASHWANI KUMAR

ABSTRACT
Built environment of a settlement developed over a period of time becomes an important part of its cultural
heritage. Managing development of built heritage is a challenging task, particularly in context of settlements
which are under tremendous pressure for growth and have unique character, such as hill towns of North India.
Shimla is one such city which has a large number of heritage buildings having colonial architectural character
and an overall character of settlement typical of a hill station. However, due to tremendous growth in permanent
as well as tourist population over last five decades, not only the size of city has grown, the character of built
Prof (Dr.) Pushplata is Professor and Head,
environment has changed drastically with building of dense, mid rise buildings with modern materials. Department of Architecture and Planning,
Strategies for future development and conservation of its built heritage need to be based on the understanding Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee.
of various components of its heritage and their issues so as to retain its architectural and aesthetic significance. E-mail : pushpfap@iitr.ernet.in
This paper discusses unique heritage of Shimla and issues related to development and conservation. An attempt
is made to understand impacts of building regulations on built heritage and strategies are suggested for future
development and conservation of heritage of Shimla.

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Managing development of a settlement while conserving its built heritage,
though necessary to retain its uniqueness and socio-cultural-aesthetic
significance, is a challenging task. Built heritage of a settlement being the
Ashwani Kumar is Research Scholar, Department
expression of culture, social, political and economical set up of society
of Architecture and Planning, Indian Institute of
during the period when it was developed. This not only has socio-cultural Technology, Roorke, Roorkee.
significance, in many cases its aesthetic appeal and uniqueness is a source of
E-mail : ashwani.patiyal@gmail.com
attraction for tourists, contributing significantly to its economy. Hill stations
established during British rule on preferred locations in India to act as summer
retreat/resorts and protect the British from harsh sun of plain regions were
developed on picturesque settings, are some such settlements which, have
undergone significant change and are under tremendous pressure for further
development. Amongst some 80 hill stations established during the nineteenth
century like Shimla, Mussourie, Nainital, Darjling, Shillong, Ooty, Kodaikanal,
Mount Abu (King A.D, 1976), Shimla was the most important and largest of
all. Being unique and one of the best example of colonial hill architecture,
an important tourist centre and a fast growing town, conservation of its built
heritage while ensuring development to take care of its present and future
needs that is compatible to its heritage character is of prime importance.

2.0 SHIMLA, THE STUDY CONTEXT

The hill town of Shimla- the capital of Himachal Pradesh and the former summer
capital of India during British period, is one of the best and unique example of
colonial hill architecture and townscape in India. Located at an elevation of 2130 m
above mean sea level on a ridge, it is the largest hill town of India. Initially developed
in 1819 as a centre for leisure, education and health due to its salubrious climate
and scenic beauty, it was made the Summer Capital of Indian Government in 1864
(Barr P., Desmond R.,1978), after which the town grew rapidly and a large number
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for Europeans and institutional buildings located on higher altitudes near the ridge
and residential cum commercial areas for the native Indian population located on
slopes below at a distance, and the Mall road that was meant exclusively for the

92 ABACUS Vol. 7 No. 2 Monsoon 2012


THE ARCHITECTURAL EXPRESSION OF A CULTURAL SYMBIOSIS-
KALLOORKAD ST.MARYS FORANE CHURCH - A CASE STUDY
Sumam Panjikaran is Associate Professor in
T.K.M. College of Engineering, Kollam. She
completed her B. Arch & Masters degree from
College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram
and is currently a Research Scholar under the
guidance of Dr. Ranee Vedamuthu.
E-mail : sumampanjikaran@yahoo.co.in
Dr. Ranee Vedamuthu currently heads the School
of Architecture and Planning, Anna University,
Chennai, India. Having a Post graduate degree
in Architecture, her specialization is in the
area of human settlements and traditional and
vernacular architecture. Her Doctoral work
focused on the socio cultural manifestation of
dwellings in rural Tamil Nadu.
E-mail : raneev@annauniv.edu
ABACUS Vol. 7 No. 2 Monsoon 2012
Study and Conservation of Built Heritage
DR. RANEE VEDAMUTHU, PROF. SUMAM PANJIKARAN
ABSTRACT
A new phase of Church architecture was ushered, when the Europeans established their colony in India. At
the time of arrival of the Europeans, Kerala had a well-developed church architecture which had attained
maturity over a period of 1500 years. This indigenous architecture developed based on climatic conditions,
locally available materials and technology, was congenial to the culture and traditions of the land and had
to adapt to the changes brought in by the Europeans in the 16th century. The result was the emergence of a
unique character for the churches of this period; a new architectural style which was an eclectic mix of the
Eastern and Western traditions. The objective of this study is to understand the transformations in indigenous
church architecture of Kerala owing to European intervention of the 16th century taking St. Marys Forane
Church Kalloorkad, as a case study.
Key words: Indigenous architecture, Ecclesiastical traditions.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Architecture is indeed the manifestation of culture and exhibits the cross
cultural linkages if any, in the region. According to Menachery (2002)1, there is
no art or architecture, no socio-cultural formation of any significance anywhere
in the world-relating to a nation, a region, a religion or racial or linguistic group
that is fully local or indigenous. This is especially relevant in the case of Church
Architecture of Kerala in the16th and 17th centuries. The churches that were built
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Eastern ecclesiastical traditions.
The Church of Kerala had its origin in the first century itself and is as old as the
universal Church. This Church had its ecclesiastical lineage with East Syrian
Church and developed gaining inspiration from Eastern ecclesiastical traditions.
The 1500 year old Church of Malabar and its indigenous practices were looked
upon as Nestorian (improper) by the Catholic missionaries who reached there
in the 16th century (Mar Aprem 2001)2. Their commitment to Catholic faith led
to many reformations in the Church of Malabar. This paper is an attempt to
analyze the impact of reformations on Church Architecture of Kerala taking
the case of Kalloorkad St.Marys Forane Church.
2.0 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Sixteenth century was a period of great colonial expansion and European
exploration of the world pioneered by Portugal, reached the Kerala coast in the
16th century. 150 years of Portuguese presence in the Kerala coast brought in
many transformations in all facets of Kerala society and in the life and culture
of its people (Menachery 2002)3.
The 16th century was also a period of revival for the Catholic Church all over the
world. The Portuguese, who had come to Kerala for trade in the 16th century,
took up the task of the revival of the churches in Kerala with a missionary zeal
(Thomas 1985)4. In fact, this responsibility was vested upon them via Padroado
by Pope Nicholas V in 1454 AD. Padroado empowered the King of Portugal and
his successors with the right over the Churches in their newly discovered lands
(Thomas 1985)5 and thus, the Portuguese reached Kerala, with a commitment
to Catholic faith and with a responsibility for Church administration.
The Church of Kerala, which followed the traditions, liturgy and worship practices
99

THE STUNNING MEGALITH OF ROLA (CHANO)
Subhashis Das is an individual explorer and
researcher of megaliths. He has brought to light
many unknown primitive megaliths across
the country. He has written many papers in
journals, and authored two books on megaliths.
He also runs a website: www.megalithindia.in,
exclusively devoted to megaliths in India.
E-mail : subhdas.hzb@gmail.com;
website : megalithsofjharkhand.tripod.com
ABACUS Vol. 7 No. 2 Monsoon 2012
Neglected Heritage
SUBHASHIS DAS
At first glance Rola megaliths appear to be a diminutive and insignificant
arrangement of stones but a closer look changes all that. Rola is different
than the conventional megalithic burials of the Oraons, Mundas or the Hos
that one is accustomed to see across tribal villages of Jharkhand. The affinity
of this monument with the ones of the adivasis is only that of the sepulchral
slabs that lie here as burial covers on the ground. The few standing stones in
this megalithic complex are in stark contrast to any known megalith.
In a nutshell megaliths are various stone architectural forms erected by
the tribals as burials or of memorials of their dead (1) since Neolithic times.
Jharkhand discloses a tradition of continued megalithism with many tribes
still erecting them after death across the state since hoary antiquity (2). But
not all megaliths have revealed burials and many have been found to be non-
sepulchral too (3). Research has revealed that many megaliths were built with
astronomical proclivity and were also used as observatories of the solar bodies
and functioned as calendars for the primitive populace (4).
THE ARCHITECTURE
Rola apart from housing a few burial slabs comprises a few curious shaped
stones of which two are small stone triangles of comparative sizes with their
vertexes pointing towards opposite horizons. The perpendicular of the smaller
triangle is about 18 inches and it tilts to an approximate angle of 50 deg. The
comparatively larger triangle placed opposite at a gap of a few inches has its
tip broken and faces the opposite landscape.
To the North stands a solitary stone about 29 inches tall which resembles a
male phallus with glans and is exquisitely shaped. At the South, opposite the
two small triangles is a narrow recumbent stone with cupules carved on it (Pl
1.0). Cupules are believed to be symbols of the Mother Goddesses; the prime
deity of the now defunct fertility cult prevalent during the megalithic era (5).
A tall pointed tip menhir with a height of 46 inches stands inclined at a tentative
angle of 50 degrees.
It is difficult suddenly to understand the purpose of this enigmatic megalith
with all these strangely shaped stonesalthough a hunch prompts you to
believe that these stone certainly served a different purpose and that the
ancients were up to something herebut what ?
THE MATHEMATICS
That the ancient megalith makers were no stupid people but on the contrary
were quite an intelligent lot can be very well understood from the Rola megalith,
as meticulous observation confirms this assumption. Their understanding of
mathematics maybe was basic but they were quite sophisticated as per
primitive standards. The positioning of the stones reveals much of this
understanding as one discovers that the dimension from the left flank of the
recumbent stone to the middle of the two triangles is 84 inches and from
107
3URMHFW3UROH

SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCES, LUCKNOW

AR. PRABHAT KUMAR

Project - School of Management TUBOEJOH
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Sciences, Lucknow (UP)
Area - 6,90,000.00 Sqft
Cost of Project - 100.00 Cr. (`)
Design Team - Prabhat Kumar,
Priti Agrawal, Vineet Jain,
Rakesh Kr. Bhardwaj
The SMS, Lucknow, an architectural marvel is situated
19 Kilometer stone of Lucknow-Sultanpur Highway (NH
56). The SMS, Lucknow has come up with a sprawling
lush-green Campus spreading over an area of over
16 acres.
The design of spaces is in Neoclassical style, a
combination of modern and classical style. It can
be described by the simplicity of the geometrical
forms and elegant lines, uncluttered appearance, free
consisting of flat and long rows of columns. Simplicity
and massive size is emphasized in the said project. The
best of firms design principles, adherence to detail
and space utilization, are implemented in the project.
SPA Design Consultants Pvt. Ltd., headed by Ar. Prabhat
Kumar, is an Architectural Firm with over 15 Years of
experience, with office in Noida, UP. They have a diverse
portfolio including residential, industrial, educational
and commercial projects.
Spa Design Consultants Pvt. Ltd.
E-33, Sector-3, Noida-201301, India
Ph. : +91 120 4156125
e-mail : spadesign@rediffmail.com
spa_design51@yahoo.com
architect. engineers. landscape & interior designers website : www.spadesign.in

110 ABACUS Vol. 7 No. 2 Monsoon 2012